Sikhs Across Borders: Transnational Practices of European Sikhs

by Knut A. Jacobsen (Editor), Kristina Myrvold (Editor)

Overview

Explores Sikh praxis and self-representation across geopolitical borders, with a focus on empirical research on Sikhs in Europe

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441113870
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/08/2012
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Knut A. Jacobsen is Professor of History of Religions at the University of Bergen, Norway.
Kristina Myrvold is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Linnaeus University, Sweden.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors
List of Tables
Introduction: Transnational European Sikhs Knut A. Jacobsen and Kristina Myrvold
Part I: Migration, Settlement and Challenges in the Diaspora
1. Comparative Experiences of Sikhs in Europe: Reflections on Issues of Cultural Transmission and Identity 30 Years On Shinder S. Thandi
2. Sikh Soldiers in Europe during the First World War, 1914-1918 David E. Omissi
3. Mobility as a Transnational Strategy: Sikhs Moving to and from Belgium Quincy Cloet, Sara Cosemans and Idesbald Goddeeris
4. Transnational Sikh Marriages in Italy: Facilitating Migration and Negotiating Traditions Barbara Bertolani
Part II: Constructing Identities, Representations and Belongings
5. Narratives of 'Return'? Travels to Punjab in the Contemporary Transnational Sikhscape Federica Ferraris
6. Tuning Identity in European 'Houses of the Guru': The Importance of Gurdwaras and Kirtan among Sikhs in Europe Knut A. Jacobsen
7. Attending the Cyber Sangat: The Use of Online Discussion Boards among European Sikhs Satnam Singh
8. 'Sikhizing the Sikhs': The Role of 'New Media' in Historical and Contemporary Identity Construction within Global Sikhism Doris R. Jakobsh
Part III: Learning, Teaching and Contesting Religious Beliefs and Practices
9. Global Sikh-ers: Transnational Learning Practices of Young British Sikhs Jasjit Singh
10. Transnational Sikh Preachers: Local Training and Global Aspiration of Kathavacaks in Punjab Kristina Myrvold
11. The Journey of Guru Granth Sahib to Italian Sikhs: Defining 'National' Leadership in Transnational Mass Media Barbara Bertolani and Iqbal Singh
12. Contesting and Confirming Religious Authority in the Diaspora: Transnational Communication and the Dasam Granth Controversy in the Nordic Countries Knut A. Jacobsen, Kristina Myrvold, Ravinder Kaur and Laura Hirvi
Glossary
Index

Editorial Reviews

The internet, pilgrimage, religious controversies, kinship networks, Sikh soldiers in World War 1 - these are just some of the subjects addressed in a work that very accessibly presents fine scholarship from seasoned specialists and younger scholars in Sikh Studies. Research in specific fields and European national contexts is excellently set in wider historical and geographical contexts. This volume will be important to teachers and students of religious and diaspora studies from a range of disciplines.” —Eleanor Nesbitt, Professor Emerita at the University of Warwick, UK.

“Enriched by the contribution of a new generation of scholars from different disciplines of social sciences, the volume suggests how Sikh Studies continually incorporates new frontiers of academic enquiry and appeals to the interest of scholars of migration studies, demographers, students of economic development and researchers on social mobilization.” —Himadri Banerjee, Department of History, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India

“Sikhs Across Borders illuminates a multitude of ways that Sikhs have sought to represent themselves across the varied geo-cultural landscape that is Europe. Moving beyond simply migration history, Sikhs Across Borders offers a diverse collection of essays that are both theoretically grounded and rich int heir substantive content.The essays in this volume are engaging in their presentation, and contain a wealth of empirical data making them valuable resources for future scholarship in the area. Jacobsen and Myrvold have produced what is sure to become required reading for those interested int his newly emerging and rapidly growing area of study.” —Michael Hawley, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Mount Royal University, Canada

“'he book offers empirically based case studies on Sikhs living in different regions of Europe. A pioneering effort in examining the history of establishment of the serecent communities, the book would serve as a major building block for the emerging sub-field of Sikhs in Europe.” —Gurinder Singh Mann, Professor of Sikh Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA

From the Publisher

'he book offers empirically based case studies on Sikhs living in different regions of Europe. A pioneering effort in examining the history of establishment of the serecent communities, the book would serve as a major building block for the emerging sub-field of Sikhs in Europe.

Gurinder Singh Mann

Sikhs Across Borders illuminates a multitude of ways that Sikhs have sought to represent themselves across the varied geo-cultural landscape that is Europe. Moving beyond simply migration history, Sikhs Across Borders offers a diverse collection of essays that are both theoretically grounded and rich int heir substantive content.The essays in this volume are engaging in their presentation, and contain a wealth of empirical data making them valuable resources for future scholarship in the area. Jacobsen and Myrvold have produced what is sure to become required reading for those interested int his newly emerging and rapidly growing area of study.

Michael Hawley

Enriched by the contribution of a new generation of scholars from different disciplines of social sciences, the volume suggests how Sikh Studies continually incorporates new frontiers of academic enquiry and appeals to the interest of scholars of migration studies, demographers, students of economic development and researchers on social mobilization.

Himadri Banerjee

The internet, pilgrimage, religious controversies, kinship networks, Sikh soldiers in World War 1 - these are just some of the subjects addressed in a work that very accessibly presents fine scholarship from seasoned specialists and younger scholars in Sikh Studies. Research in specific fields and European national contexts is excellently set in wider historical and geographical contexts. This volume will be important to teachers and students of religious and diaspora studies from a range of disciplines.

Eleanor Nesbitt